Friederike Otto confirms human-caused climate change made Spain's record wildfires 20 times more likely
Scientists have determined that human-caused climate change significantly increased the probability of the extreme fire weather that fueled this week's devastating wildfires in Spain and France. A rapid analysis by the World Weather Attribution consortium, coordinated by Friederike Otto, found that global heating made the hot and dry conditions in Spain at least 20 times more likely. In France, the climate crisis doubled the chances of extreme fire conditions. These findings confirm that the burning of fossil fuels has created a more volatile environment. While better fire management techniques have historically improved, the intensity of recent climate change has begun to overwhelming these improvements. Experts note that the land abandonment and artificial landscapes in Southern Europe have also contributed to the fuel for these fires. The wildfires have caused significant economic strain, with French Finance Minister Roland Lescure describing the fires as a 'clap of thunder' for the local economy. Economists warn that extreme weather is now a macro variable, impacting productivity, supply chains, and food prices.